Johnson, who died in 1927 at age 36, did much work — lobby and exterior sculptures — on the 12-story Fine Arts Building. In fact, the job killed him: He had a heart attack, directed assistants from a wheelchair and bed, and died before he could finish.

Some of his sculptures are all but impossible to see: They’re terra cotta figures perched on ledges on the third, ninth and 12th stories. But the exhibit in the lobby brings together photos — of the work, of Johnson’s family home in Claremont and of his studio — as well as news clippings and more. And one of his pieces is right there in the lobby: bronze figures modeled on Johnson’s children, who play around a shallow pool.

The lobby, the only portion open to the public, is reminiscent of the better-known Bradbury Building, spectacularly detailed and atmospheric, and worth a visit any time of year. It’s just paces away from the Seventh Street subway stop.

The exhibit, curated by Johnson’s granddaughter, Priscilla Schwarz, is on view through Sept. 5, and it’s free. You could tell the security guard I sent you, but that wouldn’t earn you anything but a suspicious look.

Still photos, video, signs and artifacts fill the three rooms at the museum (225 S. Euclid Ave.), which include a restored Richfield gas pump from Rancho Cucamonga and a piece of the old pavement from Fontana. Then and now photographs from along the route are superimposed via a lightbox when a button on a foot pedal is activated.

Two displays invite your easy participation. A U.S. map allows visitors to attach a Post-It with a favorite Route 66 place or memory. I added one about Ted Drewes frozen custard in St. Louis. On the opposite wall, a chalkboard bears the question “What is your favorite ‘road trip’ song?”

Among the answers on the day I visited: “The wheels on the bus go round and round.” I guess if you’re too young to know about getting your kicks on Route 66, a school bus song might be the best you can come up with.

Museum hours are noon to 4 p.m. Thursday to Sunday and admission is free. The exhibit is there through Sept. 18.

One special event is coming: Richard Delman will show off his Model A car and talk about Ontario car culture from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 10. Reserve a space — at the event, not inside his car — by phoning 909-395-2510.

I should note that if you’re at the museum anyway, you should check out its permanent and related exhibit, “Road Ways,” which also has some Route 66 photos and information.

Culture Corner

• “Old Broads: Still Kickin’,” an exhibit showcasing the work of female visual artists above the age of 50, is at the Chaffey Community Museum of Art, 217 S. Lemon Ave. in Ontario until Sept. 25. It’s opposite the Museum of History and Art and has the same hours and is likewise free.

• The Covina Bowl has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places by the LA Conservancy “in recognition of its contributions to postwar architecture and recreation.” The state Historical Resources Commission is supporting the nomination, which is opposed by the owners. A final decision will be made in our nation’s capital. Will bowling prevail?

• “Love a Fair,” in which more than 20 visual artists will recreate a walk through the L.A. County Fair of the 1950s and ’60s, opens Friday at the dA Center for the Arts, 252 S. Main St. in Pomona, with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. At the same times Saturday, live animals from Amy’s Farm will visit. Pie, salsa and flower arrangement contests are coming. I don’t know if this will be as much fun as the actual fair (which runs Sept. 2 to 25, also in Pomona), but I do know this: admission and parking are free.

Valley Vignette

A Van Nuys woman told CBS in L.A. that a man she met on a dating site took her to an expensive steakhouse in downtown L.A., claimed he had to make a phone call and left her with the $163 bill. He was identified as an Alta Loma man. As a baffled local friend puts it, “Who drives to L.A. to steal a steak?”

Since 1997, David Allen has been taking up valuable newsprint and pixels at the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, where he is a columnist and blogger (insidesocal.com/davidallen). Among his specialties: city council meetings, arts and culture, people, places, local history, dining and a log in a field that resembled the Loch Ness monster. The Illinois native has spent his newspaper career in California, starting in 1987 at the Santa Rosa News-Herald and continuing at the Rohnert Park-Cotati Clarion, Petaluma Argus-Courier and Victor Valley Daily Press. A resident of Claremont who roots for the St. Louis Cardinals and knows far too much about Marvel Comics, the Kinks and Frank Zappa's Inland Valley years, he is the author of two collections of columns: "Pomona A to Z" and "Getting Started."

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